Health Wise - Michele Sevier

Welcome to Health Wise!

It seems blogs are today’s venue to express opinions and specific views on a multitude of topics. Unlike other blogs, Health Wise will offer some opinion (of course), but focus primarily on education and hot topics. For simplicity and ease, entries will (hopefully) be short and to the point!

The natural health industry continues to grow and expand with not only new revolutionary products, but scientific validation on ingredients and their beneficial health values.

Many individuals today know that the regular use of certain supplements can improve your overall health and well-being. I will be posting information to assist you in the process of making informed, educated decisions related to your health needs.

 

Feel free to let me know your thoughts and personal stories on this exciting industry!

 

Sincerely,

 

Michele Sevier DNM DAc
Education Coordinator
nutrition house

Acetaminophen and Liver Risks

In the last few days there have been various news articles on the dangers of acetaminophen. The FDA is currently discussing new restrictions for this popular OTC pain medication - and for good reason for the health of the general public.

147 deaths from acetaminophen have been reported by the American Association of Poison Control Centers in 2003 along with the approximate 41,000 unintentional overdoses. Acetaminophen being an over the counter drug is assumed safe yet liver toxicity from acetaminophen poisoning is by far the most common cause of acute liver failure in the United States.

And that’s not all. Mixing acetaminophen and drinking alcohol can be a dangerous combination. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism notes that liver damage may occur with as little as 2.6 grams of acetaminophen (about four extra-strength pills) taken over the course of the day in persons consuming varying amounts of alcohol (NIAAA, Seeff). The damage caused by alcohol-acetaminophen interaction is more likely to occur when acetaminophen is taken after, rather than before, the alcohol has been metabolized.

Look before you leap, even when it comes to the use of any over the counter pain medication. Understanding the risks and proper use of any medications is essential. Become fully informed for your better health.

Buzz Off

Warm sunshine, lazy days and the pesky pests including mosquitos, black flies and other insects. Ah yes, the bane of the summer season.

Many people want to steer away from using DEET as their insect repellant, and for many a good reason. DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), is a powerful insecticide and a registered pesticide. Like many topical products it is absorbed through the skin and passes into the bloodstream. The most serious health concerns about DEET are its effects on the central nervous system.

Often people look for natural alternatives to DEET and quite frankly there are some around (citronella oil, lemon eucalyptus oil) and provide natural protection although they must be applied more frequently for their effectiveness,

Prevention is best and if you know you will be in an area heavy with insects, make sure to dress in long cotton pants and shirts covering any exposed skin and still keeping cool.

When these precautions fail and you are suffering from a number of bites, alleviate any pain, swelling and itching by using such natural remedies including ice and lavender and tea tree essential oils.

Summer Skin - Inside Out

As summer fast approaches our minds focus on the bright sunshine and warm temperatures, presenting a perfect opportunity to create the ultimate tan that exudes health and beauty. Or does it?

As the years pass and the sun glow routine continues, the evidence of accelerated aging becomes more apparent. The sagging skin, deeper wrinkles and pigmentation problems beginning staring back at you in the mirror. Sun damage is cumulative and often remains hidden to the naked eye for decades. What’s more is that skin being the largest organ of the body requires daily care and protection not just seasonal.

Ah yes, overindulgence and neglect does have a price and it’s not just skin deep as previously thought.

As well-educated consumers become more intent on maintaining their youthful appearance they realize that there is more required than skin protection during the summer months. The ravages of daily excess uv rays, air pollutants and the effects of temperature extremes promote aging. But the condition of the skin is also greatly affected by a variety of intrinsic factors as well. People are beginning to understand that what they eat and how they live influences their looks, which has lead to the explosion of interest in the category of cosmeceuticals.

Beauty Inside and Out

Cosmeceuticals are products or formulations that contain beneficial natural health ingredients either ingestible or topical in nature. All have been developed to support aging, external beauty and overall health. Familiar substances include vitamins, minerals, botanicals, herbs and various nutrients. A large percentage of these are considered potent antioxidants.

Cellular damage is caused by excess free radicals within the body. These reactive oxygen species negatively impact the skin wearing down the collagen and elastin fibres producing visual signs of aging. Collagen and elastin are both important components of the skin’s tissue. These proteins are found in the dermal layers of the skin helping to hold the skin together, maintaining its youthful appearance, elasticity and tone.

Knowing that free radicals are a major contributor of the detrimental effects and accelerated signs of aging, it stands to reason why antioxidants are some of the most extensively used cosmeceutical ingredients in a vast amount of anti-aging and other beauty preparations. Antioxidants help offset the free radical damage before the cells are heavily attacked thereby preventing excess damage and impairment at the cellular level. They can also help protect against sun damage while reducing inflammation that causes depletion of collagen.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, which is the most effective cosmeceutical of all?

Some potent antioxidants include green tea, CoQ10, alpha lipoic acid, resveratrol, vitamin A, C, E and selenium and carotenoids like lycopene, beta-carotene and lutein. And although there is no one single nutrient that does it all, a combination of ingredients and products when paired together provide benefits to keep you healthy both inside and out.

Applying ingredients topically can deliver benefits directly to the skin ensuring higher concentrations whilst internal supplements offer protection to the structures of the skin and the body as a whole. Many aging and other beauty concerns affect the deeper layers of skin that topical creams are unable to reach. Ingestible supplements work inside out, providing substances to help increase cell renewal and increase circulation enabling the body to build collagen and elastin. And that’s not all. There are other powerful health benefits. For instance, when green tea rich in polyphenols is used in an ingestible form, it helps protect against cancer, reduce cardiovascular disease, stroke and appears to aid in the prevention of osteoporosis.

Conversely, creams and other topicals help deal with the outside in. Research has shown that green tea polyphenols when used topically can help stimulate the proliferation of skin cells. It can help reverse the outward signs of aging and help various skin disorders including rosacea and psoriasis. Furthermore it helps protect against sun damage and sunburn as it reduces inflammation caused by uv radiation and restores glutathione (GSH) levels which is the body’s main endogenous antioxidant. .

The vast amount of current literature and science supports the use of antioxidants and various nutrients in both wellness and beauty. Together a selection of warranted cosmeceuticals can help prevent premature aging of the skin, reduce fine lines and wrinkles and offer a valid solution for maintaining our youth both visually and physically.

Natural First Aid

Along with the rise in temperature and activity levels comes more bumps, bruises and wounds. I thought it was a great time to review the benefits of various herbs and natural health supplements and their use as natural first aid remedies.

So which top recommendations allow you to emulate the healing powers of Mother Nature? Here is a brief list and description of some of her most effective remedies:

Arnica
Arnica (arnica Montana) is a well-known remedy for sprains, strain, bruising and sore muscles. It is an anti-inflammatory that helps increase circulation and promote healing. A gel or cream can be applied topically to the affected area (use on unbroken skin) or homeopathic arnica is available for internal use.

Aloe Vera
A natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic, aloe vera can soothe the discomfort and pain associated with burns and wounds. It can also inhibit bacteria from entering the area.

Swedish Bitters
Swedish Bitters are commonly used as a digestive aid while helping to promote regularity and support good health. It can also be used topically in cases of poison ivy and oak to help dry up the skin condition.

Citronella
Herbal insect repellants often contain citronella essential oil. Citronella does work well to deter bugs and mosquitoes but it does need to be applied more frequently than chemical based repellants. Each application should be liberal.

Echinacea
Echinacea has been used historically to treat bacteria and viruses due to its ability to boost the immune system. The primary use of this herb is for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. Overall, Echinacea can help treat colds and flu as well as reduce allergies and inflammation.

Ginger
Ginger (capsules, tea or crystallized forms) is a wonderful remedy that can help soothe digestive upsets. It is highly effective in preventing nausea caused by stomach upset or motion sickness.

Tea Tree Oil
Essential oil of tea tree is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal in nature. It is a great antiseptic for treating cuts, skin infections and acne. Tea tree effectively fights fungal infections like athletes foot although it needs to be applied multiple times each day. Apply directly to the affected area.

Lavender Essential Oil
A must have for any first aid kit. Lavender essential oil is an invaluable remedy for many ailments. It can be used as a sedative to help relieve anxiety, headaches and muscle tension and can improve sleep. A powerful antibacterial, lavender can be used topically on burns and wounds to accelerate healing. Applied directly on burns and insect bites, this essential oil can reduce pain and inflammation while relieving any associated itching.

L-Theanine
An amino acid from green tea, L-theanine is a great supplement for anxiety and stress. This nutrient increases the production of alpha brain wave activity (often achieved through meditation, biofeedback, etc) improving mental and physical relaxation. Although L-theanine is non-sedating it can improve overall sleep quality.

Scientific research continues to build and offer credibility to many nutrients and herbal remedies. The use of these natural first aid remedies can allow informed consumers to take charge of their health and find relief as a first line treatment of many common ailments.

Keeping Kids Active This Summer

At last summer has arrived and school is just about over for the year. Parents and kids alike are talking about summer plans. But for many parents it is a job in itself wondering how to keep their kids happy, active and away from the TV.

Aim for at least 90 minutes of physical activity each day. Engage them in organized sports or other recreational activities. Hop on a bike, walk, skip, jump, dance or swim together. Throw a ball or Frisbee or have a neighbourhood juggling contest. Skateboard and rollerblading is always fun too.

Many parks and recreation facilities offer day camps in your local area that are supervised by their staff.

And don’t forget the Government of Canada allows a non-refundable tax credit based on eligible fitness expenses paid by parents to register a child in a prescribed program of physical activity. Parents can claim up to $500 per year for eligible fitness expenses paid for each child under 16 years of age.

Perturbed by the Prostate

The prostate gland is a walnut-shaped organ that is responsible for producing seminal fluid. It is located below a man's bladder and actually surrounds a portion of the bladder and the beginning of the urethra, the tube that carries urine away from the bladder. As men age and due to the related hormonal changes in the levels of male androgens, estrogen and pituitary hormones, the prostate gland grows larger, eventually pinching the urethra and disrupting urine flow.

A large portion of men aged 50 and over will eventually get an enlarged prostate gland, also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). By age 60, 50% of all men will have BPH. By age 80, 90% of men will have BPH. It is not cancer or life threatening but can cause some problems or disruptions in daily life including:

• Increased urgency to urinate.
• Frequent urination, especially during the night.
• Increase in dribbling after urinating
• Diminished or slow stream of urine flow.
• Incomplete emptying of the bladder.

When these symptoms are present it is often a sign of an enlarged prostate. Your doctor can generally diagnose BPH through a physical exam, or a blood test called a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen).

Many men with BPH can manage their problems without medicine or surgery. Simple lifestyle changes can reduce the signs and symptoms associated with this disorder.

Herbal treatments have shown great success in the treatment of BPH. These include herbs of stinging nettle or nettle root, pygeum and saw palmetto. Nettle root is widely used as a first-line therapy for BPH in Germany, where there are many pharmaceutical drugs consisting solely of nettle root. This herb has been extensively studied in European clinical trials over the past twenty years.

In Europe nettle root is also used in combination with saw palmetto. This combination is a logical one since both herbs work on different treatment pathways but both possess anti-inflammatory actions.

Saw Palmetto has been shown to significantly improve the signs and symptoms of BPH in numerous clinical studies. This nutrient improves the hormonal metabolism. Approximately 90% of men with mild to moderate BPH experience some improvement in the majority of symptoms during the first month or two of use.

Pygeum may also help reduce prostate enlargement. Pygeum appears improve symptoms associated with BPH including a reduction in the frequency of night time urination, and an increase in urine flow.

The nutrition house men’s multi extra has been specifically designed for men’s optimal health. This multi contains the highest potency vitamins and minerals necessary for optimum health and also features specific nutrients and herbals to dramatically improve men’s overall wellness. Ingredients such as saw palmetto, nettle and lycopene for prostate health, chromium for blood sugar control, grapeseed extract and hawthorn berries for heart health, ginkgo for memory & concentration, Siberian ginseng for energy & stress management, as well as digestive enzymes. Each ingredient was carefully selected to offer the best absorption, efficacy and dosage. The nutrition house men’s multi extra is a great option for those individuals searching for a premium quality multi-vitamin/mineral formulation.

Healthy omega 3 essential fatty acids including fish and/or fish oil rich in EPA and DHA are natural anti-inflammatory’s and may help relieve symptoms associated with BPH, not to mention their overall health benefits to the cardiovascular system.

Minding Men’s Health

Father’s Day is just around the corner and what better time to talk about men’s health and tips on how to live a longer, healthier life.

Men have been traditionally been referred to as the stronger sex but why does that strength result in a lower life expectancy (over 5 years) than women?

For a few reasons. Men tend to “play” harder. They tend to drink and smoke more than their female counterparts. Stress and their career can take center stage and often the necessary physicians care is not addressed.

So what simple yet effective solutions can be used to improve both quality and quantity of life?

1) Regular medical check-ups – Your doctor may find a medical condition (high blood pressure, enlarge prostate, diabetes) early in its onset.
2) Maintain a healthy weight – This reduces your chance of heart disease, diabetes and many chronic conditions
3) Regular exercise – A no-brainer for its health benefits but can also increase libido and help reduce symptoms of stress.
4) Good nutrition – Sure, beer and wing night with the boys is important, but use the 80/20 rule. Eat a diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains, healthy fats and lean quality protein 80% of the time.
5) Moderate alcohol intake – Studies reveal that men who drink three or more alcoholic beverages each day are at risk for poor health as they age.
6) Protect the Prostate – BPH (enlarged prostate) affects at least 50% of the men over 50 while prostate cancer is the number two killer of men. Make sure your regular medical check-ups target this gland.
7) Few Simple Supplements – Invest in a daily multi-vitamin and a high potency EFA fish oil rich in EPA/DHA. Consider the nutrition house men's multi as it was formulated to specifically addresses prostate health and other pertinent male health issues
8) Manage The Stress – Sometimes easier said than done but supplements like L-theanine and GABA can effectively reduce anxiety and other symptoms of stress.
9) LAUGH – Enjoy the moment and find pleasure in the small stuff.

It’s important to remember that good health is not merely the absence of disease. It's a lifestyle. Whether it's getting enough sleep, relaxing after a stressful day or enjoying a hobby, it's important to take time to be good to yourself. Take steps to balance work, home and play. Pay attention to your health, and make healthy living a part of your life.

Orange M & M’s with Added Vitamin C?

Health Canada currently mandates the fortification of certain foods including vitamin D in milk and folic acid in flour, but is now considering allowing food manufacturer’s to fortify various foods (ie: “junk” foods) to increase their nutrient content.

Good idea or bad idea?

It only stands to reason that if certain individuals are going to eat junk food anyways, it offers a more “nutritious” profile or does it? Depending on which nutrients are added, and in what quantities, it may be little more than a new marketing gimmick to entice consumers into thinking they are gaining some health benefits.

For more information visit the Health Canada website at:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/vitamin/faqs-eng.php

Fish Oil Reduces Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death

The spotlight continues to shine on the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids from fish/fish oils and the EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) content. These fats possess cardioprotective properties. They support brain and nervous system health, vision and mood, and function as anti-inflammatories. Research shows regular EPA/DHA intake can help reduce rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s), inflammatory skin conditions (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis) and triglycerides.

Dr Dariush Mozaffarian from the Harvard School Public Health Program in Cardiovascular Epidemiology suggests that fish oil and omega 3’s are the first line of treatment for primary prevention of cardiac death. Studies show that there is a 36% risk reduction in sudden cardiac death @ 250mg – 500mg day (EPA/DHA).

Scientists have now completed a comprehensive review of various studies on the benefits of these omega 3 fats (EPA/DHA) and are now recommending a creation of a DRI to help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Check out the article on the following link from nutraingredients.com

http://www.nutraingredients.com/On-your-radar/Omega-3/Omega-3-science-review-supports-DRI-for-heart-benefits

Your Multi - The Fountain of Youth?

A recent article from Nutraingredients.com was posted. There is some great new information from a study on the benefits of multivitamins. Read on or go to their link at:

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Multivitamins-linked-to-younger-biological-age-Study?nocount

Multivitamins linked to younger ‘biological age’: Study
By Stephen Daniells, 27-May-2009

The cells of multivitamin users may have a younger biological age than cells from non-users, according to new research from the US.

Researchers led by Honglei Chen, MD, PhD from National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences looked at the length of telomeres, DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes that shorten as cells replicate and age.

The ageing and lifespan of normal, healthy cells are linked to the so-called telomerase shortening mechanism, which limits cells to a fixed number of divisions. During cell replication, the telomeres function by ensuring the cell's chromosomes do not fuse with each other or rearrange, which can lead to cancer. Elizabeth Blackburn, a telomere pioneer at the University of California San Francisco, likened telomeres to the ends of shoelaces, without which the lace would unravel.

With each replication the telomeres shorten, and when the telomeres are totally consumed, the cells are destroyed (apoptosis). Previous studies have also reported that telomeres are highly susceptible to oxidative stress.

Dr Chen and his co-workers noted that telomere length may therefore be a marker of biological ageing, and that multivitamins may beneficially affect telomere length via modulation of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.

According to results published in the new issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the telomeres of daily multivitamin users may be on average 5.1 per cent longer than in non-users.

“To our knowledge, this was the first epidemiologic study of multivitamin use and telomere length,” wrote Dr Chen and his co-workers. “Regular multivitamin users tend to follow a healthy lifestyle and have a higher intake of micronutrients, which sometimes makes it difficult to interpret epidemiologic observations on multivitamin use.
“Further investigations would be needed to understand the role of multivitamin use and telomere length and its implication in the etiology of chronic diseases.”

Multivitamin use

According to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) State-of-the-Science Panel, half of the American population routinely use dietary supplements, with their annual spend estimated at over $20 billion.

Recent results of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed that 35 per cent of the US adult population regularly consumes one or more types of multivitamin product (Am. J. Epidemiol., 2004, Vol. 160, Pages 339-349).
New study

Dr Chen and his co-workers analysed multivitamin use and nutrient intakes, as well as telomere length of 586 women aged between 35 and 74 in the Sister Study. A 146-item food-frequency questionnaire was used to determine multivitamin use and nutrient intakes.

Compared to non-multivitamin users, the researchers noted that that telomeres were on average 5.1 per cent longer for daily multivitamin users.
In an attempt to identify specific nutrients that could be behind the observations, a positive relationship between telomere length and intakes of vitamins C and E from foods was observed.
“Whereas the evidence is not sufficient to conclude that these 2 dietary antioxidants mediated the observed relation, the results are consistent with experimental findings that vitamins C and E protect telomeres in vitro,” wrote the researchers.

Being the first study to report such an association, Dr Chen and his co-workers emphasized that the evidence is only preliminary and that additional epidemiologic studies are required to further explore the association. The implications of the findings in terms of ageing and the etiology of chronic diseases should be carefully evaluated.

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
June 2009, Volume 89, Number 6, Pages 1857-1863, doi:10.3945/ajcn.2008.26986
"Multivitamin use and telomere length in women"
Authors: Q. Xu, C.G. Parks, L.A. DeRoo, R.M. Cawthon, D.P. Sandler, H. Chen